Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most pressing storylines emerging from the recent Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers closer to the pivotal narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester City appeared to be on the cusp of sealing the league crown as early as Wednesday, potentially clinching the title without needing another match.
The scenario hinged on Arsenal dropping points against Leicester – an unlikely but mathematically possible outcome – which would have left City’s lead unassailable with only a handful of games left. That particular contingency has now evaporated, and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding City’s title party has been replaced by uncertainty. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race, giving both Chelsea and Arsenal a realistic mathematical chance of matching City’s current tally of 49 points.
While Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea are effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference, the Gunners remain very much in the mix. What was once described as a one‑per‑cent chance for a title upset has swelled to roughly five per cent, even though Arsenal have not yet taken the field this week. Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic trophy hand‑over I suggested back in February; perhaps that early proclamation was premature.
City’s dominance is still formidable, but the defeat highlighted their vulnerability. As Fran Kirby quipped after the match, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer," underscoring how her creative freedom proved decisive in a surprising 3‑2 loss. Andree Jeglertz’s side now need at least five points from their remaining fixtures to keep the championship hopes alive, and they cannot guarantee victory until the final matchday as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand. Jeglertz appears unfazed, reminding readers that his side, led by Renee Slegers, have suffered only a single loss this campaign – that loss being to City – and any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly.
Looking ahead, City will host Liverpool before traveling to West Ham for their last two league outings, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea squeezed in between. None of those encounters are easy, especially after a defeat that came after they had the game under control for much of the first half. It marks the first occasion this season that City have surrendered points after leading, a stark reminder that momentum can shift quickly. Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match assessment, praising her teammates for their resilience despite the disappointment.
She noted that the Brighton game hurt because City had dictated play for the majority of the 90 minutes, creating seven clear‑cut chances that ultimately went unconverted. The lack of cohesion was evident, likely a side‑effect of the 19‑day break for international duty. The fixture schedule has been both a blessing and a curse for City. On one hand, the absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue and allowed the squad to focus on domestic objectives.
On the other hand, long gaps between matches have sometimes disrupted rhythm, especially during periods of three‑game weeks. City’s roster was deliberately assembled to endure such demanding stretches, but the irregularity of fixtures has still presented challenges.
Despite the setback, there is no need for panic. City have been exceptionally consistent throughout the 2025/26 season and deserve the championship on merit, having shown a level of reliability that no other side has matched.
Yet they cannot take the title for granted; the pressure of a tight finish will be keenly felt by Greenwood, Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp and the rest of the squad. The memory of missing out on the 2023/24 title on goal difference to Chelsea still looms large, and the fear of a repeat scenario is very real. Meanwhile, Manchester United endured a far more disappointing weekend in matchweek 20. Their 0‑0 draw with Tottenham was not a loss on the scoresheet, but it signalled a deeper loss of initiative.
United, once seen as genuine contenders for second place behind their city rivals, now appear to be sliding out of the top‑three race. Marc Skinner’s side have managed only one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and overall performance levels have plummeted. The question arises whether this decline reflects the limited depth of Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s heavyweight clubs, or whether external factors such as fixture congestion and injuries are to blame.
United have yet to beat any of the current top‑five teams, a group that includes Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of which are averaging around 1.5 points per game. This statistic suggests a noticeable quality gap.
Even the return of Ella Toone from a long‑term injury could not spark the needed revival. Spurs, on the other hand, displayed worrying trends despite their offensive dominance. Their expected goals (xG) metric was a lopsided 2.58 to United’s 0.47. United struggled to register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs logged more than double the number of touches inside the opposition box (42 versus 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s lone saviour. For Skinner, the scrutiny is relentless.
As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is perpetually under the microscope, especially given the high expectations attached to the United badge. One poor result can ignite talk of pressure and potential dismissal. Skinner must also recognize that much of the recent criticism is self‑inflicted.
He has openly admitted that the team’s performances since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have been insufficient. Balancing a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic duties appears to have drained the squad’s energy. “We will need to make some changes over the summer,” Skinner said, noting that he has another year left on his contract.
Whether those adjustments involve personnel, tactics or a combination of both remains to be seen, but the upcoming off‑season will be crucial for United’s revival. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal crossroads. City must regroup quickly to protect a fragile lead, while United must rediscover the spark that once made them credible title challengers. The final weeks of the season promise high drama, and the outcomes will shape the narrative of women’s football in Manchester for years to come.